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Master of Spirituality

The Master of Spirituality enables students to acquire advanced understanding of the theological and spiritual foundations of spirituality, spiritual practice and spiritual growth, and to apply this knowledge of spiritual principles to individual and community life in the Christian tradition.

Overseas students

CRICOS N/A

Study modes

Classroom, Mixed, Online

Duration

2 years full-time
Up to 6 years part-time

"I would recommend Whitley strongly as a place of study, as it's a fine community that is really serious about forming people and bringing out their best but allowing them also to be aware of the areas that they don't yet know that they need to grow into. That's a very trusting space and it's also a lifegiving space and so I've really flourished from it, and I'm very grateful for it. "
Rev James Lewis

Sample Course Structure

4 Units

4 level 9 units in Spirituality or Spiritual Direction
3 Units

3 level 8 or 9 units in any discipline
1 Unit

1 level 9 unit in any discipline
1 Unit

XX9974 Capstone: Spirituality
1 Unit

DS8201 Art of Contemplative Practice 1
1 Unit

DS8002W Patterns in the Practice of Spirituality
1 Unit

DP8103W Introduction to Pastoral Theology
1 Unit

BA8011W Introducing the Hebrew Bible OR
BN8001W Interpreting the New Testament OR
CT8001W Beginning Theological Studies OR
CH8011W Early Christianity in Context

NOTE: The information presented in this graphic is a general guide and not a substitute for personal course advice with a Course Advisor. Please click the links on the legend to read about Whitley College units that may be included in this course.

Course details

The Master of Spirituality consists of 288 points comprised of:

  1. 96 points of Postgraduate Foundational units in three disciplines from at least two fields including 48 points in the discipline of Spirituality or Spiritual Direction;
  2. 96 points of Postgraduate Elective units in the discipline of Spirituality or Spiritual Direction;
  3. 24 points of Postgraduate Elective units in any discipline;
  4. either a Capstone unit of at least 24 points in the discipline of Spirituality or in synthesis with it, or the unit RQ9748M Minor Thesis; and
  5. further postgraduate units in any discipline ensuring at least 192 of the required 288 are in the disciplines of Spirituality or Spiritual Direction.
Unit ID Unit Field/Discipline

4 level 9 units in Spirituality or Spiritual Direction

 DS Spirituality

3 level 8 or 9 units in any discipline

 Unit of Choice

1 level 9 unit in any discipline

 Unit of Choice
XX9974W

XX9974 Capstone: Spirituality

 Capstone Other
BN8001W

BA8011W Introducing the Hebrew Bible OR
BN8001W Interpreting the New Testament OR
CT8001W Beginning Theological Studies OR
CH8011W Early Christianity in Context

 Unit of Choice
DP8103W

DP8103W Introduction to Pastoral Theology

 DP Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies
DS8002W

DS8002W Patterns in the Practice of Spirituality

 DS Spirituality
DS8201W

DS8201 Art of Contemplative Practice 1

 DS Spirituality

The Master of Spirituality consists of 288 points comprised of:

  1. 96 points of Postgraduate Foundational units in three disciplines from at least two fields including 48 points in the discipline of Spirituality or Spiritual Direction;
  2. 96 points of Postgraduate Elective units in the discipline of Spirituality or Spiritual Direction;
  3. 24 points of Postgraduate Elective units in any discipline;
  4. either a Capstone unit of at least 24 points in the discipline of Spirituality or in synthesis with it, or the unit RQ9748M Minor Thesis; and
  5. further postgraduate units in any discipline ensuring at least 192 of the required 288 are in the disciplines of Spirituality or Spiritual Direction.

Successful completion of an undergraduate degree, a Graduate Certificate or a Graduate Diploma.

All applicants must meet the English admission requirements of the University of Divinity as outlined in the Admissions Policy.

 

Students have 3 hours of class time per standard unit they are enrolled in across the 12 teaching weeks of semester.

Students should allow an additional 10 hours for study and assessment tasks per week for each unit they are enrolled in – that is 13 hours per unit per week

The full-time study load for the Master of Spirituality is 3 units per semester which is a commitment of 39 hours per week.

Depending on the time available for study, students can choose to study part-time by enrolling in 1 to 2 units per semester. Students can complete the 12 units required for the Master of Spirituality within the maximum 6 years allowed if they choose to enrol in 1 unit per semester.

Learning outcomes

Course achievements

Graduates of the Master of Spirituality:

  1. have advanced knowledge of the theological and spiritual foundations of spirituality, spiritual practice and spiritual growth in the Christian tradition, and of the relation of these to broader theological studies;
  2. have mastery of skills to reflect critically on personal spiritual experience in the light of key themes, traditions and approaches in spirituality;
  3. have communication and technical research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions and professional decisions about themes, traditions and approaches in spirituality;
  4. apply knowledge of themes, traditions and approaches in spirituality with creativity and initiative to professional practice and further learning;
  5. apply relevant theological and hermeneutical skills through the execution of a substantial research-based project, capstone experience or piece of scholarship.

Graduate Pathways

Future study options

Graduates who have completed a Minor Thesis at a specified standard may be eligible for admission to a higher degree by research.

Where will this take me?

Vocational Possibilities

Rev James Lewis

I would recommend Whitley strongly as a place of study, as it’s a fine community that is really serious about forming people and bringing out their best but allowing them also to be aware of the areas that they don’t yet know that they need to grow into. That’s a very trusting space and it’s also a lifegiving space and so I’ve really flourished from it, and I’m very grateful for it.
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Timetable

Ready for your next step?

If theological education has been on your mind, there’s no better place to start your journey than by stepping out in faith with us at Whitley.

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How to Apply